(WZZM) -- The American Cancer Society needs 300,00 people for The Cancer Prevention Study 3.

It's a 20 year study for women and men between the ages of 30 and 65, who have never had cancer. Participants answer a survey, give a waist measurement and a blood sample.

The purpose is to look at long term factors that cause or prevent cancer.

"I have cancer in my family and I lost my mother to breast cancer and my grandmother to breast cancer. It's something I just feel very, very strongly about-- to provide information to the researchers so they can figure out how to beat this dreadful disease," said participant Jo-Ann Perkins.

Every two years volunteers will be mailed a follow-up survey.

There are two more sign-ups being held in the next week: Thursday at the Spartan Stores YMCA and next Wednesday at Lacks Enterprises.